Cited by 121Statistical Methods in Clinical TrialsPain Management and Placebo EffectAdvanced Causal Inference Techniques

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 44 of the 44 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Why use placebos in clinical trials? A narrative review of the methodological literature

Vickers, A·2000·Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

DOI 10.1016/s0895-4356(99)00139-0

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

Researchers have a number of different options for their choice of control or comparison intervention in randomized trials. We surveyed the methodological literature looking for reasons why a researcher might choose to administer a placebo (i.e., a mimic intervention) to control subjects. Two implicit assumptions were that the issue of placebo is pertinent only to drug trials and that the nonplacebo effect of a treatment is the "real" or "true" effect. Explicit reasons given in the literature for the use of placebos were facilitating blinding and controlling for the placebo effect. The importance of the latter was often inadequately argued. Reasons to avoid placebos in controlled trials, other than ethics and feasibility, are that placebos do not inform real decisions, and may interfere with accurate estimation of effect size and with nonspecific aspects of treatment. Placebo-controlled trials have high internal validity but may be difficult to apply to clinical practice; the situation is reversed for trials without placebo control.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/s0895-4356(99)00139-0

Cites

44 of 44 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

This paper’s full text isn’t openly available, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Practical Statistics for Medical Research.
Walter, S., & Altman, D. G. (1992) · Biometrics · doi:10.2307/2532320 · Cited by 11,666
Practical Statistics for Medical Research
Altman, D. G. (1990) · doi:10.1201/9780429258589 · Cited by 10,668
Untitled work
Schulz (1995) · doi:10.1001/jama.1995.03520290060030 · Cited by 5,634
Clinical Trials: A Practical Approach.
Hill, I. D., & Pocock, S. (1984) · Biometrics · doi:10.2307/2531186 · Cited by 2,918
Epidemiology in Medicine
Hennekens, C. H., Buring, J. E., & Mayrent, S. L. (1987) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 2,319
Clinical Epidemiology: The Essentials.
(1991) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-114-9-825_10 · Cited by 1,838
Designing Clinical Research
Hulley, S. B. (1997) · Cited by 1,753
Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation
Silagy, C., Lancaster, T., Stead, L., Mant, D., & Fowler, G. (2004) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd000146.pub2 · Cited by 972
Clinical Epidemiology: The Architecture of Clinical Research.
(1985) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-103-4-649_2 · Cited by 954
The Importance of Placebo Effects in Pain Treatment and Research
Turner, J. A. (1994) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.1994.03510440069036 · Cited by 871

Show all 44 references

Sorted by citations

Evidence for physiotherapy practice: A survey of the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)
Moseley, A. M., Herbert, R. D., Sherrington, C., & Maher, C. G. (2002) · Australian Journal of Physiotherapy · doi:10.1016/s0004-9514(14)60281-6 · Cited by 911
The Placebo Effect in Alternative Medicine: Can the Performance of a Healing Ritual Have Clinical Significance?
Kaptchuk, T. J. (2002) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-136-11-200206040-00011 · Cited by 619
Systemic lactose intolerance: a new perspective on an old problem
Matthews, S. B., Waud, J. P., Roberts, A., & Campbell, A. K. (2005) · Postgraduate Medical Journal · doi:10.1136/pgmj.2004.025551 · Cited by 240
Recommendations for reporting randomized controlled trials of herbal interventions: explanation and elaboration
Gagnier, J. J., Boon, H. S., Rochon, P. A., Moher, D., Barnes, J., & Bombardier, C. (2006) · Journal of Clinical Epidemiology · doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2005.12.020 · Cited by 214
How large are the nonspecific effects of acupuncture? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Linde, K., Niemann, K., Schneider, A., & Meißner, K. (2010) · BMC Medicine · doi:10.1186/1741-7015-8-75 · Cited by 189
Randomised trial of nasal surgery for fixed nasal obstruction in obstructive sleep apnoea
Koutsourelakis, I., Georgoulopoulos, G., Perraki, E., Vagiakis, E., Roussos, C., & Zakynthinos, S. G. (2008) · European Respiratory Journal · doi:10.1183/09031936.00087607 · Cited by 131
Acupuncture of chronic headache disorders in primary care: randomised controlled trial and economic analysis
Vickers, A. J., Rees, R. W., Zollman, C., McCarney, R., Smith, C. M., Ellis, N., Fisher, P., van Haselen, R. A., Wonderling, D. E., & Grieve, R. (2004) · Health Technology Assessment · doi:10.3310/hta8480 · Cited by 128
Self-citation
Design of Control‐Group Conditions in Clinical Trials of Behavioral Interventions
Lindquist, R. D., Wyman, J. F., Talley, K. M., Findorff, M. J., & Gross, C. R. (2007) · Journal of Nursing Scholarship · doi:10.1111/j.1547-5069.2007.00171.x · Cited by 121
Challenges and Recommendations for Placebo Controls in Randomized Trials in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
Fregni, F., Imamura, M., Chien, H. F., Lew, H. L., Boggio, P. S., Kaptchuk, T. J., Riberto, M., Hsing, W. T., Battistella, L. R., & Furlan, A. D. (2010) · American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · doi:10.1097/phm.0b013e3181bc0bbd · Cited by 118
Effectiveness of Education Interventions Designed to Improve Nutrition Knowledge in Athletes: A Systematic Review
Tam, R., Beck, K. L., Manore, M. M., Gifford, J. A., Flood, V. M., & O'Connor, H. T. (2019) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01157-y · Cited by 114
Patient-reported outcomes better discriminate active treatment from placebo in randomized controlled trials in rheumatoid arthritis
Strand, V., Cohen, S. B., Crawford, B., Smolen, J. S., & Scott, D. L. (2004) · Lara D. Veeken · doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keh140 · Cited by 104
Attention placebo control in randomized controlled trials of psychosocial interventions: theory and practice
Popp, L., & Schneider, S. (2015) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0679-0 · Cited by 96
Evaluation of the nocebo effect during oral challenge in patients with adverse drug reactions.
Liccardi, G., Senna, G., Russo, M. L., Bonadonna, R. C., Crivellaro, M., Dama, A., D’Amato, M., D’Amato, G., Canonica, G. W., & Passalacqua, G. (2004) · PubMed · Cited by 88
Clinical Trial Enrollment of Rural Patients with Cancer
Paskett, E. D., Cooper, M. R., Stark, N. N., Ricketts, T. C., Tropman, S. E., Hatzell, T., Aldrich, T. E., & Atkins, J. N. (2002) · Cancer Practice · doi:10.1046/j.1523-5394.2002.101006.x · Cited by 80
Selecting an appropriate placebo for a trial of spinal manipulative therapy
Hancock, M. J., Maher, C. G., Latimer, J., & McAuley, J. H. (2006) · Australian Journal of Physiotherapy · doi:10.1016/s0004-9514(06)70049-6 · Cited by 76
A Systematic Review of Cost-Effectiveness Analyses Alongside Randomised Controlled Trials of Acupuncture
Kim, S., Lee, H., Chae, Y., Park, H., & Lee, H. (2012) · Acupuncture in Medicine · doi:10.1136/acupmed-2012-010178 · Cited by 65
Randomized Placebo-/Sham-Controlled Trials of Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Systematic Review and Methodological Appraisal
Duarte, R. V., McNicol, E. D., Colloca, L., Taylor, R. S., North, R. B., & Eldabe, S. S. (2019) · Neuromodulation Technology at the Neural Interface · doi:10.1111/ner.13018 · Cited by 65
How First‐Time‐in‐Human Studies Are Being Performed: A Survey of Phase I Dose‐Escalation Trials in Healthy Volunteers Published Between 1995 and 2004
Buöen, C., Bjerrum, O. J., & Thomsen, M. S. (2005) · The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology · doi:10.1177/0091270005279943 · Cited by 64
Motor imagery and ‘placebo-racket effects’ in tennis serve performance
Guillot, A., Genevois, C., Desliens, S., Saieb, S., & Rogowski, I. (2012) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.03.002 · Cited by 62
Mobilizations of the asymptomatic cervical spine can reduce signs of shoulder dysfunction in adults
McClatchie, L., Laprade, J., Martin, S., Jaglal, S. B., Richardson, D. L., & Agur, A. M. R. (2008) · Manual Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.math.2008.05.006 · Cited by 62
Sham Control Methods Used in Ear-Acupuncture/Ear-Acupressure Randomized Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review
Zhang, C. S., Yang, A. W. H., Zhang, A. L., May, B. H., & Xue, C. C. (2013) · The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.1089/acm.2013.0238 · Cited by 62
Systematic review of control groups in nutrition education intervention research
Byrd-Bredbenner, C., Wu, F.-F., Spaccarotella, K., Quick, V., Martin-Biggers, J., & Zhang, Y.-T. (2017) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/s12966-017-0546-3 · Cited by 51
Placebo Controls in Randomized Trials of Acupuncture
Vickers, A. J. (2002) · Evaluation & the Health Professions · doi:10.1177/0163278702238055 · Cited by 59
Self-citation
Interventions for cognitive deficits in patients with a brain tumor: an update
Gehring, K., Aaronson, N. K., TAPHOORN, M. J. B., & Sitskoorn, M. M. (2010) · Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy · doi:10.1586/era.10.163 · Cited by 53
Treatment of moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with acupuncture: A randomised, placebo-controlled pilot trial
Freire, A. O., Sugai, G. C. M., Chrispin, F. S., Togeiro, S. M., Yamamura, Y., Mello, L. E., & Tufik, S. (2006) · Sleep Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2006.04.009 · Cited by 52
Promoting healthy home environments and lifestyles in families with preschool children: HomeStyles, a randomized controlled trial
Byrd‐Bredbenner, C., Martin‐Biggers, J. T., Alleman, G. P., Worobey, J., Hongu, N. K., & Quick, V. (2017) · Contemporary Clinical Trials · doi:10.1016/j.cct.2017.10.012 · Cited by 50
Placebo design in WHO-registered trials of Chinese herbal medicine need improvements
Zhang, X., Tian, R., Zhao, C., Tang, X., Lü, A., & Bian, Z. (2019) · BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine · doi:10.1186/s12906-019-2722-2 · Cited by 47
Should we reconsider the routine use of placebo controls in clinical research?
Avins, A. L., Cherkin, D. C., Sherman, K. J., Goldberg, H., & Pressman, A. R. (2012) · Trials · doi:10.1186/1745-6215-13-44 · Cited by 43
The impact of treatment confidence on pain and related disability among patients with low-back pain
Goldstein, M. S., Morgenstern, H., Hurwitz, E. L., & Yu, F. (2002) · The Spine Journal · doi:10.1016/s1529-9430(02)00414-x · Cited by 43
The nocebo effect during oral challenge in subjects with adverse drug reactions.
Lombardi, C., Gargioni, S., Canonica, G. W., & Passalacqua, G. (2008) · PubMed · Cited by 40
Identifying Placebo Effects with Data from Clinical Trials
Malani, A. (2006) · Journal of Political Economy · doi:10.1086/500279 · Cited by 40
Couple-Based Psychosexual Support Following Prostate Cancer Surgery: Results of a Feasibility Pilot Randomized Control Trial
Robertson, J. M., McNamee, P., Molloy, G. J., Hubbard, G., McNeill, A. S., Bollina, P. R., Kelly, D. M., & Forbat, L. (2016) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.05.013 · Cited by 38
The use of pattern differentiation in WHO-registered traditional Chinese medicine trials – A systematic review
Zhang, X., Tian, R., Zhao, C., Birch, S., Lee, J. A., Alræk, T., Bovey, M., Zaslawski, C., Robinson, N., Kim, T., et al. (2019) · European Journal of Integrative Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.eujim.2019.100945 · Cited by 37
Simply because it works better: Exploring motives for the use of medical herbalism in contemporary U.K. health care
Little, C. V. (2009) · Complementary Therapies in Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2009.08.001 · Cited by 35
A Workshop on Antiepileptic Drug Monotherapy Indications
French, J. A., & Schachter, S. C. (2002) · Epilepsia · doi:10.1046/j.1528-1157.43.s.10.1.x · Cited by 35
Blinding decreased recruitment in a prevention trial of postmenopausal hormone therapy
Hemminki, E., Hovi, S., Veerus, P., Sevón, T., Tuimala, R. J., Rahu, M., & Hakama, M. (2004) · Journal of Clinical Epidemiology · doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2004.04.009 · Cited by 34
A Meta-Analytic Evaluation of the FRIENDS Program for Preventing Anxiety in Student Populations
Maggin, D. M., & Johnson, A. H. (2014) · Education and Treatment of Children · doi:10.1353/etc.2014.0018 · Cited by 32
The reporting quality, scientific rigor, and ethics of randomized placebo-controlled trials of traditional Chinese medicine compound formulations and the differences between Chinese and non-Chinese trials
Zhong, Y., Fu, J., Liu, X., Diao, X., Mao, B., Fan, T., Yang, H., Liu, G., & Zhang, W. (2010) · Current Therapeutic Research · doi:10.1016/j.curtheres.2010.02.001 · Cited by 33
Magnet therapy for the relief of pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (CAMBRA): A randomised placebo-controlled crossover trial
Richmond, S. J. (2008) · Trials · doi:10.1186/1745-6215-9-53 · Cited by 32
Evaluating treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol and other drug use disorders using meta-analysis of individual patient data: Design and methodology of a virtual clinical trial
Saavedra, L. M., Morgan-López, A. A., Hien, D. A., López-Castro, T., Ruglass, L. M., Back, S. E., Fitzpatrick, S., Norman, S. B., Killeen, T. K., Ebrahimi, C. T., et al. (2021) · Contemporary Clinical Trials · doi:10.1016/j.cct.2021.106479 · Cited by 31
Cumulative mild partial sleep deprivation negatively impacts working memory capacity but not sustained attention, response inhibition, or decision making: a randomized controlled trial
Santisteban, J. A., Brown, T. G., Ouimet, M. C., & Gruber, R. (2018) · Sleep Health · doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2018.09.007 · Cited by 32
Interventions for attitudes and empathy toward people with dementia and positive aspects of caregiving: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Han, A. (2020) · Research on Aging · doi:10.1177/0164027519884766 · Cited by 30
Evaluation of the Cohort Size in Phase I Dose Escalation Trials Based on Laboratory Data
Buöen, C., Holm, S., & Thomsen, M. S. (2003) · The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology · doi:10.1177/0091270003252243 · Cited by 28
Managing concerns about falls : fear of falling and avoidance of activity in older people
Zijlstra, G. A. R. (2008) · doi:10.26481/dis.20080228gz · Cited by 28
Ethical Aspects of Placebo in Migraine Research
Linde, M., May, A., Limmroth, V., Dahlöf, C. G. H., & on behalf of the Headache Masters Programme (2003) · Cephalalgia · doi:10.1046/j.1468-2982.2003.00529.x · Cited by 26
The effects of a cognitive–behavioral stress intervention on the motivation and psychological well-being of senior U.K. police personnel.
Jones, J. K., Turner, M. J., & Barker, J. B. (2020) · International Journal of Stress Management · doi:10.1037/str0000218 · Cited by 29
Design, formulation and sensory evaluation of a polyphenol-rich food placebo: an example of aronia juice for food intervention studies
Kardum, N., Konić‐Ristić, A., Zec, M. M., Kojadinović, M., Petrović-Oggiano, G., Zeković, M., Kroon, P. A., & Glibetić, M. (2017) · International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition · doi:10.1080/09637486.2017.1283682 · Cited by 24
Pilot Trial Results of Mlambe: An Economic and Relationship-Strengthening Intervention to Address Heavy Drinking and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Malawi
Conroy, A. A., Hahn, J. A., Neilands, T. B., Darbes, L. A., Tebbetts, S., Mulauzi, N., Mkandawire, J., & Ssewamala, F. M. (2024) · AIDS and Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10461-024-04326-x · Cited by 22
Mindfulness-Based Analgesia or Placebo Effect? The Development and Evaluation of a Sham Mindfulness Intervention for Acute Experimental Pain
Davies, J. N., Sharpe, L., Day, M. A., & Colagiuri, B. (2020) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0000000000000886 · Cited by 20
Trial Design, Measurement, and Analysis of Clinical Investigations
Beukelman, T., & Brunner, H. I. (2015) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-24145-8.00006-5 · Cited by 20
Unnecessary Use of Placebo Controls
Miller, F. G., & Shorr, A. F. (2002) · Archives of Internal Medicine · doi:10.1001/archinte.162.15.1673 · Cited by 20
Intra‐arterial injection of lidocaine into middle meningeal artery to treat intractable headaches and severe migraine
Qureshi, A. I., Pfeiffer, K., Babar, S., Huang, W., Lobanova, I., Ishfaq, M. F., French, B. R., Siddiq, F., & Gomez, C. R. (2021) · Journal of Neuroimaging · doi:10.1111/jon.12918 · Cited by 19
Delivering Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Insomnia, Pain, and Dysfunctional Eating Through a Text Messaging App: Three Randomized Controlled Trials Investigating the Effectiveness and Mediating Mechanisms.
Li, A. C., Wong, K. K., Chio, F. H., Mak, W. W., & Poon, L. W. (2022) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/30073 · Cited by 17
Patients’ perceptions on non‐specific effects of acupuncture: Qualitative comparison between responders and non‐responders
Ho, R. S. T., Ho, F. F., Adams, J., Cramer, H., Leung, B. M. Y., Ward, L., Zhang, Y., & Chung, V. C. (2021) · Integrative Medicine Research · doi:10.1016/j.imr.2021.100771 · Cited by 17
Ethical Considerations for Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Clinical Trials: A Cross‐Cultural Perspective
Zaslawski, C. (2008) · Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine · doi:10.1093/ecam/nen055 · Cited by 17
The effect of topical wheatgrass cream on chronic plantar fasciitis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Young, M. A., Cook, J. L., & Webster, K. E. (2005) · Complementary Therapies in Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2005.07.003 · Cited by 17
The Relevance of Infant Outcome Measures: A Pilot-RCT Comparing Baby Triple P Positive Parenting Program With Care as Usual
Popp, L., Fuths, S., & Schneider, S. (2019) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02425 · Cited by 16
Pain relief for the removal of femoral sheath after percutaneous coronary intervention
Wensley, C. J., Kent, B., McAleer, M. B., Savage, S., & Stewart, J. T. (2008) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd006043.pub2 · Cited by 16
Evaluation of a computerized contraceptive decision aid: A randomized controlled trial
Madden, T. E., Holttum, J., Maddipati, R., Secura, G. M., Nease, R. F., Peipert, J. F., & Politi, M. C. (2020) · Contraception · doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2020.08.002 · Cited by 15
Nutraceutical blends predict enhanced health via microbiota reshaping improving cytokines and life quality: a Brazilian double-blind randomized trial
Santamarina, A. B., de Freitas, J. A., Franco, L. A. M., Filho, V. N., Fonseca, J. V. D. S., Martins, R. C. R., Turri, J. A. O., da Silva, B. F. R. B., Fugi, B. E. I., da Fonseca, S. S., et al. (2024) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-61909-3 · Cited by 16
Ensure forest-data integrity for climate change studies
Päivinen, R., Astrup, R., Birdsey, R. A., Breidenbach, J., Fridman, J., Kangas, A. S., Kauppi, P. E., Köhl, M., Korhonen, K. T., Johannsen, V. K., et al. (2023) · Nature Climate Change · doi:10.1038/s41558-023-01683-8 · Cited by 13
The Trials and Tribulations of Selecting Comparison Groups in Randomized Trials of Nonpharmacological Complementary and Integrative Health Interventions
Sherman, K. J. (2020) · The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.1089/acm.2019.0460 · Cited by 13
TRIAL DESIGN, MEASUREMENT, AND ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONS
Brunner, H. I., & Giannini, E. H. (2011) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-6581-4.10007-x · Cited by 13
The validity and ethics of giving placebo in a randomized nonpharmacologic trial was evaluated
Spigt, M., Knipschild, P. G., van Schayck, O. C. P., & Knottnerus, J. A. (2005) · Journal of Clinical Epidemiology · doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2004.08.009 · Cited by 13
DESIGN, MEASUREMENT, AND ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONS
Giannini, E. H. (2005) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-0246-8.50012-7 · Cited by 13
A Meta‐Analysis to Estimate the Placebo Effect in Randomized Controlled Trials in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Demirkaya, E., Lanni, S., Bovis, F., Galasso, R., Ravelli, A., Palmisani, E., Consolaro, A., Pederzoli, S., Marafon, D. P., Simianer, S., et al. (2016) · Arthritis & Rheumatology · doi:10.1002/art.39583 · Cited by 12
The marketing plan and outcome indicators for recruiting and retaining parents in the HomeStyles randomized controlled trial
Byrd‐Bredbenner, C., Delaney, C., Martin‐Biggers, J. T., Koenings, M., & Quick, V. (2017) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2262-3 · Cited by 12
Effect of intra-arterial injection of lidocaine and methyl-prednisolone into middle meningeal artery on intractable headaches.
Qureshi, A. I., Qureshi, M., Khan, A. A., & Suri, M. F. K. (2014) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 11
3 – What constitutes evidence?
Herbert, R., Jamtvedt, G., Hagen, K., & Mead, J. (2011) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-7020-4270-6.00003-x · Cited by 5
Those famous red pills—Deliberations and hesitations. Ethics of placebo use in therapeutic and research settings
Touwen, D. P., & Engberts, D. P. (2012) · European Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.03.005 · Cited by 10
Teaching Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: 4. Appraising the Evidence for Papers on Therapy
Wilson, K., Mills, E., Ross, C. P., & Guyatt, G. (2002) · Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.1089/107555302320825192 · Cited by 11
The impact of ethics on the design and conduct of acupuncture clinical trials
Zaslawski, C. (2003) · Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine · doi:10.1016/s1461-1449(03)00065-3 · Cited by 10
Randomized controlled trials: the control group dilemma revisited
Hart, A. (2001) · Complementary Therapies in Medicine · doi:10.1054/ctim.2000.0414 · Cited by 10
Intra-arterial lidocaine administration of lidocaine in middle meningeal artery for short-term treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage-related headaches
Qureshi, A. I., Bains, N. K., Bhatti, I. A., Jani, V. B., Suri, M. F. K., & Bhogal, P. (2025) · Interventional Neuroradiology · doi:10.1177/15910199241307049 · Cited by 9
A live-online mindfulness-based intervention for children living with epilepsy and their families: protocol for a randomized controlled trial of Making Mindfulness Matter©
Puka, K., Bax, K., Andrade, A., DeVries-Rizzo, M., Gangam, H., Levin, S., Nouri, M. N., Prasad, A. N., Secco, M., Zou, G., et al. (2020) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-020-04792-3 · Cited by 9
Influence of Nicotine Gum on Acute Cravings for Cigarettes
Roderique‐Davies, G., Willner, P., James, D. L., & Morgan, M. J. (2004) · Journal of Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1177/0269881104040240 · Cited by 9
A pre-trial evaluation of blinding for a Chinese herbal medicine trial
Razavy, S., Lee, J., & Zaslawski, C. (2020) · Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications · doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2020.100632 · Cited by 8
Conifer Green Needle Complex in Patients with Precancerous Gastric Lesions: An Observational Pilot Study
Bespalov, V., Sherbakov, A., Новик, В. И., Vp, K., Shamsi, K., & Soultanov, V. (2016) · Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine · doi:10.1155/2016/3848409 · Cited by 8
Patient navigation for depressed mothers in Head Start: A pilot study of intervention mechanism
Silverstein, M., Díaz‐Linhart, Y., Grote, N. K., Cadena, L., Cabral, H., & Feinberg, E. (2017) · Journal of Community Psychology · doi:10.1002/jcop.21861 · Cited by 8
Ethical issues related to the use of placebo in clinical trials.
Lau, J. T. F., Mao, J., & Jh, W. (2003) · PubMed · Cited by 8
Couples motivational interviewing with mobile breathalysers to reduce alcohol use in South Africa: a pilot randomised controlled trial of Masibambisane
Msimango, L., Butterfield, R. M., Starks, T. J., van Heerden, A. C., Neilands, T. B., Hahn, J., Chibi, B., Humphries, H., & Conroy, A. A. (2024) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083390 · Cited by 7
Efficacy of the cognitive functional therapy (CFT) in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a study protocol for a randomized sham-controlled trial
de Lira, M. R., Meziat‐Filho, N., Silva, G. Z. M., & Chaves, T. C. (2022) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-022-06466-8 · Cited by 7
Point-Counterpoint: Using Clinical Trials for the Evaluation of Integrative Cancer Therapies
Block, K. I., Burns, B., Cohen, A. J., Dobs, A. S., Hess, S. M., & Vickers, A. J. (2004) · Integrative Cancer Therapies · doi:10.1177/1534735404263001 · Cited by 7
Self-citation
Invited Commentary
Fritz, J. M. (2009) · Physical Therapy · doi:10.2522/ptj.20090218.ic · Cited by 7
The Influence of Acetaminophen and Observational Conditioning on the Acquired Capability for Suicide
Chiurliza, B., & Joiner, T. E. (2017) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.beth.2017.12.009 · Cited by 7
Use of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy to Change Pain-related Cognitive Processing in Patients with Primary Headache: A Randomized Trial with Attention Placebo Control Group
Namjoo, S., Borjali, A., Seirafi, M., & Assarzadegan, F. (2019) · Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine · doi:10.5812/aapm.91927 · Cited by 7
Visual Acuity Outcomes Among Sham vs No-Treatment Controls From Randomized Trials
Hawkins, B. S. (2009) · Archives of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1001/archophthalmol.2009.101 · Cited by 6
Long-term follow-up effects of the HomeStyles randomized controlled trial in families with preschool children on social cognitive theory constructs associated with physical activity cognitions and behaviors
Quick, V., Martin‐Biggers, J. T., Alleman, G. P., Worobey, J., Hongu, N. K., & Byrd‐Bredbenner, C. (2018) · Contemporary Clinical Trials · doi:10.1016/j.cct.2018.03.006 · Cited by 6
¿Es ético realizar ensayos clínicos controlados con placebo en el desarrollo de un nuevo fármaco para el trastorno depresivo mayor? (I). Consideraciones sobre el valor intrínseco y validez científica del estudio
Gracia, D., Lahuerta, J. J., Carné, X., & Dal‐Ré, R. (2004) · Medicina Clínica · doi:10.1016/s0025-7753(04)74591-1 · Cited by 6
The placebo mystique: Implications for clinical trial methodology
Clifford, V. (2011) · Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health · doi:10.1111/j.1440-1754.2010.01983.x · Cited by 5
Explanatory and Pragmatic Clinical Trials
Herbert, R. (2010) · Pharmaceutical Sciences Encyclopedia · doi:10.1002/9780470571224.pse246 · Cited by 5
Influence of the placebo effect on oxidative stress in healthy older adults of Mexico City
Retana-Ugalde, R., Vargas, L. A., Altamirano-Lozano, M. A., & Mendoza-Núñez, V. M. (2009) · Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.2009.01052.x · Cited by 4
A historical review of placebo-controlled, relapse prevention trials in schizophrenia: The loss of clinical equipoise
Lawrence, R. E., Appelbaum, P. S., & Lieberman, J. A. (2020) · Schizophrenia Research · doi:10.1016/j.schres.2020.11.022 · Cited by 4
Sympathetic Arousal during a Touch-Based Healing Ritual Predicts Increased Well-Being
Meißner, K., & Koch, A. (2015) · Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine · doi:10.1155/2015/641704 · Cited by 4
The Placebo Effect in Cardiovascular Disease* *Modified with permission from Frishman WH, Lee W-N, Glasser SP, Bienenfeld L, Chien P, Peterson SJ: The placebo effect in cardiovascular disease. In Frishman WH, Sonnenblick EH, Sica DA, editors: Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapeutics, ed 2, New York, 2003, McGraw Hill. pp 15-25.
Frishman, W. H., Wolff, A. I., Lee, W.-N., Peterson, S. J., & Glasser, S. P. (2005) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-03002-1.50005-7 · Cited by 4
Economic and relationship-strengthening intervention to reduce alcohol use in couples living with HIV in Malawi: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of Mlambe
Mkandawire, J., Ssewamala, F. M., Hahn, J. A., Mulauzi, N., Neilands, T. B., Tebbetts, S., Darbes, L. A., Brown, D. S., & Conroy, A. A. (2025) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-097247 · Cited by 3
Quantifying placebo and trial participation effects on cognitive outcome measures in aging dogs
Simon, K. E., Russell, K. J., Mondino, A., Yang, C.-C., Case, B. C., Anderson, Z., Whitley, C., Griffith, E. H., Gruen, M. E., & Olby, N. J. (2025) · GeroScience · doi:10.1007/s11357-025-01822-3 · Cited by 3
The Use and Usefulness of Placebo Controls
Ramsay, D. S., & Woods, S. C. (2001) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.294.5543.785b · Cited by 3
Use of placebos in Phase 1 preventive HIV vaccine clinical trials
Huang, Y., Karuna, S., Janes, H., Frahm, N., Nason, M., Edlefsen, P. T., Kublin, J. G., Corey, L., McElrath, M. J., & Gilbert, P. B. (2014) · Vaccine · doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.10.017 · Cited by 3
Mood Predicts Response to Placebo CPAP
Stepnowsky, C. J., Mao, W., Bardwell, W. A., Loredo, J. S., & Dimsdale, J. E. (2012) · Sleep Disorders · doi:10.1155/2012/404196 · Cited by 4

Authors: Vickers, A.
Affiliations: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (US)
Corresponding author: Vickers, A
ORCID: Vickers, A
Venue: Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2000-02
Volume: 53
Issue: 2
Pages: 157-161
ISSN: 0895-4356 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/s0895-4356(99)00139-0
OpenAlex: W1990079090
Cited by: 121
References: 44
Citations by year: 2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 6
FWCI: 1.21
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Journal of Clinical Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Pain Management and Placebo Effect
Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Advanced Causal Inference Techniques
Keywords: placebo effect, blinding, internal validity, effect size estimation, treatment generalizability, randomized controlled trials
MeSH terms: Double-Blind Method, Humans, Placebos, Epidemiologic Research Design, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Why use placebos in clinical trials? A narrative review of the methodological literature

Abstract

Overview

Integrity signals

Verification

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Citations

Cites

Cited by

Related

Metadata

Record

About these checks